GoaNOW - March, 2000(Cityscape)

PARK PRO:
Is there a change in the air with the emergence of Sardinha's coalition government? They appear to be quite concerned about sprucing up parks, traffic islands and doing their little bit for the Goan roads. The traffic island at the Panjim end of the Mandovi bridge presents quite a panoramic view from the bridge. There's more greening going on at the Penha de Franca end, leading to the new Secretariat. On the eve of Prime Minister A B Vaypayee's visit to inaugurate even the roads were decorated with potted plants.

Quite Relaxing (Pic: Joel) QUIET A SPOT:
Prominent Goan architect Charles Correia produced one of his best architectural designs in Panjim--the Kala Academy--at Campal. Besides housing the auditoriums, art gallery, music and theatre schools, it has a lovely foyer to sit, meet or just relax. Exhibitions, melas or dramas go on continuously and, so, people flock here. Tea and snacks at the Canteen patronised by many, particularly students. A bit of dating too is done in the scenic setting of the KA. Of course, quite a bulk of the visitors are drawn by the loo, the cleanest of public ones in the city.

Brass items at a sale SALES GALORE:
People generally rush to Panjim for work of one kind or other. Being centrally located, it's ideal for shopping. Moreover, all sorts of exhibitions and sales come to the city from time to time. There is always something to see or hear or experience for the visitor. Of course, with the inauguration of the new government Secretariat, the flow will definitely distort to quite a large extent as the power centre moves to the other bank of the silvery Mandovi river.

Road rights (Pic: Joel) HOME ANYWHERE
Like the Mandovi which brings fish, ship and junk upstream with the tide, Goa's capital city attracts the rich and poor. For many, the footpaths are not merely spaces to walk on but homes to live in. Migrant labourers set up hearth here before they can locate the source of livelihood.